Lewis Hamilton fears the technical issues which have blighted the defence of his world championship could hand the title to Nico Rosberg.
Hamilton, who finished Sunday's European Grand Prix only in fifth following a problem with his engine settings, is back to being 24 points adrift of his Mercedes team-mate after the German cruised to victory in Baku.
It marked another difficult afternoon for Hamilton, who, despite winning back-to-back races in Monaco and Canada, has struggled with a series of car problems this term.
"It's looking like a good year for Nico, but I never give up," Hamilton said.
"I am definitely not feeling confident for the future, but I have a lot of races ahead."
Hamilton started Formula One's first race in Azerbaijan from 10th after he crashed out in qualifying.
But an incorrect engine mode, pre-determined by his Mercedes team before the race started, curtailed his progression back through the pack.
The British driver spent 12 laps at the Baku Street Circuit - a track which has been billed as the fastest on the calender - frantically fiddling with the buttons and knobs on his complex steering wheel in an attempt to resolve the problem.
Following a clampdown on radio transmissions, Hamilton's Mercedes team were forbidden from informing the Briton how to resolve the issue which led to a series of almost comical exchanges.
At one point, a flustered Hamilton said: "I may not finish this race because I am going to try and change everything."
"I wouldn't advise that," came the response from the Mercedes pit wall.
After the race Hamilton explained: "I am just looking at my steering wheel for a large portion of the lap - all the way down the straight - and all they can tell me is there is a switch error. It's dangerous.
"I am looking at every single switch thinking 'am I being an idiot here?' 'Have I done something wrong?'
"I hadn't. I looked time and time again at the different switch positions and there was nothing that looked irregular.
"The radio ban, as far as I am aware, was suppose to stop driver aids, but it wasn't a driver aid, it was a technical issue."
Hamilton's woes afforded Rosberg an easy race as he moved on to 19 career victories and got his championship challenge firmly back on track after weekends to forget in Monte Carlo and Montreal.
"It was a special feeling out there in the car because it felt like I could do whatever I wanted," Rosberg said.
"The car would just stick to the line, stick to the ground, and there was no risk of making mistakes.
"It felt really, really special and I'm very happy."
Source: PA
